Panagbenga Fest activities to proceed amid detection of two new Mpox cases in Baguio City

Baguio City, Philippines – Festival goers in Baguio City are still going to enjoy the month-long Panagbenga spirit as there are no changes in the scheduling of activities despite the confirmation of two additional Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) cases in the city.

On Wednesday, February 5, the Baguio City Health Services Office (CHSO) revealed that two more Mpox cases have been recently monitored and that the patients have ‘no known connection’ with the first two cases detected in January.

The patients, a 21-year-old male, and a 21-year-old female, sought medical attention when the specimens taken from them tested positive for Mpox viral DNA at the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine.

The two who had the less severe Clade II strain are currently under home quarantine until February 16 and February 14, respectively. Their close contacts who are asymptomatic were also advised to undergo routine health monitoring for 21 days.

With Baguio City celebrating its 29th Panagbenga Festival, CHSO cited that the organizers assured that activities will proceed as scheduled, and that health authorities and organizers heightened their coordination to ensure safety among tourists and locals attending the festival which run until March 2, 2025.

As for the festival goers, the health office reminds them of basic health protocols and of taking necessary precautions even though Mpox primarily spreads through prolonged close contact and not through airborne transmission.

The CHSO said the public needs to practice good hygiene; avoid close skin-to-skin contact with individuals exhibiting rashes or flu-like symptoms; wear long sleeves; seek medical consultation for symptoms like fever, body aches, or rashes; and stay home if not feeling well or if experiencing MPox symptoms.